Meghalaya bar bodies reject SCBA appeal over Amit Kumar

The Meghalaya High Court Bar Association and Shillong Bar Association have rejected the Supreme Court Bar Association’s appeal to withdraw their resolution against Meghalaya Advocate General Amit Kumar. In a letter to SCBA Secretary Pragya Baghel, they said the national body should not interfere in their internal affairs and that members would not be “bullied” into reversing a unanimous decision.

The resolution followed Kumar’s submissions in a Meghalaya High Court suo motu case involving the alleged assault and public parading of an advocate who had earlier been accused of molesting a law intern. The two bar bodies said Kumar had made unsubstantiated allegations that they failed to ensure a safe environment for women lawyers and interns. They accused him of vilifying the associations and misleading the SCBA about the circumstances in which his membership was removed. SCBA had urged reconsideration, saying the safety and dignity of legal professionals was a collective responsibility.